How long for HRT?

[Lizzie]

I've been in therapy since Jan. I've got a M.D therapist I'll be seeing later this month. I'm not sure if she's a gender specialist but I haven't been able to find one around me. I know I need some anti depressants. My other therapist will be speaking with her, I've been talking to her about my gender issues and she is very supportive but isn't very knowledgable on the subject at least with things like HRT. 

So I'm just wondering how long am I looking at before I can get this show on the road?

[Jessica Merriman]

It all depends on where you are and what the Therapist believes is a good time for HRT. My Therapist at Oklahoma State University makes all trans clients attend 6 months of therapy and must present at some point in their gender. It has been good though because I have learned so much useful information and it is ethical for them to spend some time and make sure. A lot of places allow Informed Consent, but in my state most want a letter from the Therapist as a sort of pre screening method. I hated the wait at first, but now I understand why they want to be sure. If someone does Informed Consent without some therapy it could end disastrously as they may not be prepared for some situations you could get into. Therapy has brought some things out I had never considered and prepared me well. I went full time long before I wanted to because they made me so comfortable with it. 

[Satinjoy]

Same message as Jessica's- get the best therapist you can find, its worth its weight in gold.  And HRT is worth the wait too.

Crucial, life saving.  I did not have to present, by the way, I choose to live socially  in my birth gender.  But we are all different, and I have my hormone letter, after we both teamed up the time for it became obvious.  The therapy combined with the hormones has made an enormous positive difference.

[fusstangtroy]

Do your homework .get all info on you can .internet has load of info( study it) .No this does not make you doc but you will understand where others been and there results .IF your doc open to informed consent pass on info you have collected and spend a visit or two with the doctor so she can see were your at perhaps she or he will work with you . Mine had been my doc for years and after 3 months research ( hers and mine ).as doctors do we set down charted goals /results/risks/ . If you open the door with your doctor for others to get help how great that would be .

[Lizzie]

Awesome thanks for the replies. I like the 6 month plan Jessica spoke of. Right now my therapist is working on getting me comfortable in my own skin. Even going so far to offer to help me learn make up  

Do you girls have any good recommended reading on the subject? I've been shuffling through all I could find on here.

[Jessica Merriman]

If you haven't already read the WPATH Standards of Care and learn them well. Even thought they are a little outdated it is still the Bible of Transgender care. There is a copy here at Susan's. There is also a Tom Waddell Standards of Care used some places, but WPATH is fairly universal.

[TaoRaven]

or, until you get sick of waiting and jumping through hoops and just call an IC / ICATH endo or GP and have them prescribed after some blood work and an interview.

Therapy is great for some people who feel that they need it. For some of us though, it's just one more obstacle...and one that's not necessary. Of course, you can always continue seeing your therapist, and still go get your prescription at your leisure without a referral, the choice is yours

[mandonlym]

I transitioned 12 years ago and had to fight so as to not have to do therapy for HRT or SRS. But I have friends who've done informed consent. Of course go to therapy if you need it but I really don't like this therapist as gatekeeper approach myself.

[ath]

I transitioned 12 years ago and had to fight so as to not have to do therapy for HRT or SRS

How did you go about doing that? I'm on HRT - had to basically go to a therapist for around 2 months to get it, but I really feel like the therapist was useless to me other than just to get on HRT. The first thing out of my mouth to her was that I was only seeing her for HRT. If I could get SRS/orchi and legal stuff (name, gender marker, etc.) done without having to basically pay this woman to see her just for getting recommendations, I would be very interested, lol.

[emilyking]

I'm sorry, but having my first session yesterday, I am glad I am going.  Right now the plan is ever other week, but I think after a while I want to go weekly.
I did tell her I'm self medicating, and the main reason I wanted to see her was to do everything correctly.

[Paulagirl]

The SOC no longer call for therapy. Don't ask us, ask your therapist. YOU are the client, they work for YOU.

[Jessica Merriman]

The SOC no longer call for therapy. Don't ask us, ask your therapist. YOU are the client, they work for YOU.

Even though the SOCs don't require Therapy where I live the Endocrinologist (for the most part) will not start HRT without a letter. It just depends on where you live and which country. My Endocrinologist uses the HRT letter as a pre screening tool and knows to get one you have to really understand the process well. 

[emilyking]

As stated many times, I have printed out WPATH's Standard's of Care. 
Interesting read.

[EmmaD]

If you don't need or want therapy, then while that "gate" might be open for you, the actual prescriber may have a closed gate.  Worth checking.  My GP prescribes my magic little pills (he has had lots of practise) but (in my case) wanted a diagnosis.  I amused myself with electrolysis during the 5 month period the sessions took last year.  Funnily enough, when I started the sessions that resulted in the "HRT GO" letter, 15 months of electrolysis seemed to be an indicator that of how serious I was!

Another point made already, I went into the psych sessions having stated that I wanted to commence HRT.  I thought it better to have that out at the start.

[TaoRaven]

Which is another reason that is is SO nice to have a list of prescribers around the country who WILL prescribe without a letter or referral. So very nice that the IC resources are there for anyone to use, so that we can pursue our path in the manner that we see fit

[warlockmaker]

I choose to start the journey with a guide and I used a few therapis before settling for one. I consult twice a month, Its a long and complicated journey and the mental rebalance may need help. Its one of the reason many are in the forum. Its been a wonerful journey and I feel that a good therapist makes a big differece for the mental health and awareness of what to expect. You must find a therapist that you feel good and you feel cares and must have the experience with TGs